Solomon sentenced to life in prison for stabbing death of ex-wife

LAS CRUCES — Angry and bearing a brash, manipulative streak that his ex-wife's family described as common, Horace Carlos Solomon Jr. received a sentence of life in prison plus more than 40 years Tuesday for last year's brutal murder of Jenny K. Bates.

A jury last week convicted Solomon of eight charges surrounding the stabbing death of Bates, his ex-wife. She was 35.

In August of 2011, Solomon barged into Bates' East Mesa home, threw her to the floor and stabbed her 32 times with a steak knife in front of two children, according to court records. Solomon prevented the children from calling for help, then threatened them while he drank vodka before falling asleep next to Bates' body.

When he had a chance to speak to District Judge Fernando R. Macias and the court Tuesday, Solomon, 40, started by saying he loved his children. Then his tone changed significantly.

"To my son ... I absolutely forgive you for getting on that witness stand and telling a lie," Solomon said, eliciting gasps from the gallery, composed mostly of Bates' family and friends.

Solomon also said he forgave the 14-year-old girl who witnessed the murder and provided similar testimony. She is the daughter of Bates' boyfriend, and later told the court that she considered Bates to be a mother figure to her.

Solomon described Bates as his "best friend" and said he "absolutely loved her."

Added Solomon: "Under no circumstances did I commit murder.

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Then, before he was taken away, Solomon called the trial a "sham" and said he was "railroaded" before alleging witness tampering. As he was walking through the exit door, Macias asked Solomon's lawyer if he had anything to add.

Solomon interrupted: "You didn't do anything the whole time, don't try to do anything now."

Solomon's comments seemed to keep with his theme during the trial. As a preface to the sentence, Macias said Solomon "showed absolutely no remorse" for a crime Macias called "shocking beyond description." Regarding Solomon's comments to the children and about the trial, Macias said "the court expected something better of him."

Macias announced the sentence, as follows, for each of the counts. Some of them were enhanced by a 2009 conviction for breaking and entering Bates' home that year.

— A life sentence for the premeditated murder, which means a minimum of 30 years before Solomon is eligible for parole.

— Nineteen years for kidnapping.

— A total of eight years for two counts of child abuse.

— A total of 2.5 years for two counts of false imprisonment — it was a pair of 2.5-year sentences that will run concurrently.

— Ten years for aggravated burglary.

— About a year, 364 days, for interfering with communication.

The sentences are to run consecutively, which adds up to a minimum of about 70 1/2 years. By law, Solomon's case will receive automatic appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Several of Bates' family members spoke during the sentencing.

Her aunt, Wanda Cunningham, advocated stronger laws for domestic violence, including the use of a GPS system implemented in some states to warn victims about the presence of abusers. She and other family members said Solomon beat Bates and previously threatened to kill her.

"She should be alive," Cunningham said. "This shouldn't have gotten this far."

The 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office prosecutes about 400 domestic violence cases every year. Very few are deadly. Bates' death was Las Cruces' first domestic violence fatality since 2006.

Bates' cousins, Angela Landsey and Jody Rico, also spoke to the court, sharing memories. Before the sentencing, they sat in a hallway. Landsey made the 13 orchid-and-ribbon pins, worn by Bates' family members and prosecutors.

Orchids were Bates' favorite flower, family members said. One of the ribbons on each of the pins was teal, representing Bates' preferred color. The other ribbon was purple, to acknowledge domestic violence.

"That's her symbol now," Rico said.

Before she left for dinner with their family and friends, Donna Johnson, Bates' mother, spoke about the finality of the sentencing.

"It's a relief it's over," said Johnson, who along with her husband are the legal guardians of Bates' two children. "And we're going to turn and walk away and get on with our lives with those two little boys. That's all we can do."

James Staley may be reached at 575-541-5476. Follow him on Twitter @auguststaley